Three Rivers Marine Service

According to the American Boating Association, cleaning your boat “smarter” not “harder” is the most efficient way of keeping your vessel looking like new. This means developing an effective cleaning routine and making this ritual a habit after each trip.

The choice between standard- or high-output alternators depends on the configuration of your vessel. If yours has significant house loads as well as multiple battery banks, a high-output alternator is probably the better option.

Having a place to take your boat out should hardly ever be an excuse to not go boating. According to a recent study, 90 percent of Americans live within one hour of navigable water. The hour drive is well worth the relaxation you’ll experience on the water.

Any sailor knows that the weather can shift suddenly, which means you need to be prepared to work in rough weather. Foul weather gear is made to marine standards so you can keep your boat going in any weather without worry.

It is a good idea to have your boat completely detailed at least once a year. While you may take great care of it and hose it down every time you take her out of the water, detailing provides a more thorough cleaning for better protection.

Even if you bought your boat for fresh water, it's still designed for saltwater travel, just in case. That means everything vulnerable is adapted to a salt water environment, including the alternator, so you can count on having power when you need it.

A great way to make your sluggish boat run like new is to buy a new propeller. Propellers can have a huge impact on performance. New propellers come in multiple sizes and models, including three, four, and five blade types.

Whether it's a few miles off shore, out in the middle of the lake, or a few miles up river, the last place you want your electrics to fail is away from the dock. Getting them installed by a licensed boat electrician means you can count on them for your entire journey.

There are a variety of different anchor designs, such as the fluke, the plow, the claw, and others, each with different traits that work better in different grounds. An anchor is a crucial part, and boat part expert can help you figure out the best anchor for your boat.

So what exactly is a short circuit when it comes to boat electrical systems? This occurs when a direct connection between the hot and ground sides of a circuit is made, bypassing the load. A reading of less than infinity with the ohmmeter means that there is a problem in the wiring.

When you aren’t going to be using your boat for a season or more, you should remove as much gear from it as possible. Use this time to take home any pots or dishes you have, clean out your icebox, and air out any cushions or pillows that are on the boat.

When it comes to buying replacement seat cushions for your boat, there are a couple of features to look for. The cushions should be covered with marine grad vinyl that’s durable and mildew resistance. Another great feature is UV resistance, which prevents the premature fading of colors.